A17384:916
A commentary
A commentary: or, sermons upon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter wherein method, sense, doctrine, and use, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of divinity largely discussed. By Nicholas Byfield, late preacher of God's Word at Isle-worth in Middlesex.A commentary: or, sermons vpon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter vvherein method, sense, doctrine, and vse, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of diuinity largely discussed. By Nicholas Byfield, late preacher of God's Word at Isle-worth in Middlesex.
London: printed by Humphrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623London: printed by Humfrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
In which words the happiness of the Christian which believeth in Christ, is expressed.
In which words the happinesse of the Christian which beleeueth in Christ, is expressed.
There are many points of doctrine may be observed out of these words; as,
There are many points of doctrine may bee obserued out of these words; as,
First, in general, it is faith that makes the difference among men before God: men are judged of before GOD by their faith or unbelief. GOD, to find out a worthy man, doth not ask, what money, or land, or birth, or offices he hath; but what faith he hath, Gal. 5.6. He is rich and happy, that believeth; and he is miserable, that believeth not, whatsoever his outward estate be. Which should cause us more soundly to inform our selves, and not to be lifted up in our selves for any outward things, nor to be dejected if our faith prosper: and it should be a great comfort to poor Christians in all their wants, if the LORD have made them rich in faith. He is a great rich ⟨p. 202⟩man, that hath a strong faith. And therefore also we should learn to judge of men, not according to the flesh or these outward things, but ever acknowledge more honour to a faithful Christian, than to any rich wicked man. And it is a great sign of our own uprightness of heart, when we can judge of Christians as GOD judgeth, and without dissimulation account them the only excellent Ones.
First, in generall, it is faith that makes the difference among men before God: men are iudged of before GOD by their faith or vnbelief. GOD, to finde out a worthy man, doth not ask, what money, or land, or birth, or offices he hath; but what faith he hath,